The winds of change are blowing in the power rankings. Most notably, the New York Yankees are the team that’s suffering. The Yankees started the year 38-23 but have since hit a wall. Stellar rookie Aaron Judge is still doing the best he can but he’s not getting much assistance. The Yankees are a lousy 6-16 in their last 22, which is among the worst records in baseball. That’s why they’ve tumbled to the No. 5 spot in this week’s ranks. On that note, here is a look at the latest power rankings.
All stats and standings are prior to the games on Thursday, July 6th.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +300
The Dodgers have a 4.5-game lead in the National League West after winning two of three in San Diego, and they’ve won the first two of three at home against Arizona. They’ll head into the All-Star break at home against Kansas City. Justin Turner batted .429 with three homers and five RBIs over the last week. On the mound, Clayton Kershaw continues to dominate as he won both starts this week, allowing no runs and five hits over 14.0 innings.
2. Houston Astros
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +550
The Astros lead the American League West by a ridiculous 16 games after winning two of three at home against the Yankees, and they swept two games in Atlanta. Next, Houston heads to Toronto. Carlos Correa was on fire, hitting .556 with three homers and nine RBIs. The Astros had a 5.14 ERA as a staff, but Chris Devenski was fine coming out of the bullpen. He had a 2-0 mark in three appearances and didn’t allow a run in 5.1 innings, and leads the majors in wins and innings.
3. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +650
The Nationals top the NL East by 9.5 games after losing two of three in St. Louis, then they won two at home over the Mets before the third game was postponed. They’ll head into the All-Star break at home against Atlanta. Bryce Harper batted a solid .400 with a pair of homers and six RBIs, while Max Scherzer (who leads the majors in ERA) and Stephen Strasburg both went seven innings, allowing no runs in their starts. However, Strasburg got a no-decision in a win over the Mets.
4. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Red Sox lead the AL East by four games after a three-game sweep in Toronto, and then they won two of three in Texas. They’ll finish the first half off in Tampa Bay. Andrew Benintendi had a big week with two homers and 10 RBIs, while Chris Sale tossed seven shutout innings against the Blue Jays. He now leads the American League in ERA, innings and strikeouts.
5. New York Yankees
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Yankees trail the Red Sox by four games after losing two of three in Houston and at home to Toronto, and next, they’ll host Milwaukee. Aaron Judge hit .304 at the plate with two homers (his 29 homers lead the majors) and three RBIs. The Yankees had a 4.83 ERA, but Masahiro Tanaka had his third straight quality start, allowing a run in seven innings in a win over Toronto.
6. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The Indians lead the AL Central by a half game after winning two of three in Detroit, but they’ve dropped two of the first three in a four-game home set with San Diego. Cleveland will wrap up the first half at home against the Tigers. Jose Ramirez hit .375 with three homers and six RBIs this week. Corey Kluber split a pair of starts, but he gave up just two runs in 16.0 innings of work with 22 strikeouts and two walks.
7. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 7
World Series Championship Odds: ++800
The Cubs trail Milwaukee by 3.5 games in the NL Central after losing two of three in Cincinnati, then they split two games at home with Tampa Bay. The Cubs have a make-up game with Milwaukee at home on Thursday before host Pittsburgh to go into the break. Ian Happ had a nice week, going .375 at the plate with two homers and six RBIs, while Jake Arrieta continues his inconsistent season. After allowing five runs in his previous start, Arrieta tossed a one-hitter over seven innings and allowed no runs in a win in Cincinnati.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Week: 9
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
The Diamondbacks are chasing the Dodgers and are behind them by 4.5 games winning two of three at home against Colorado, but they’ve lost the first two of three at home against the Dodgers. Next, the Diamondbacks host Cincinnati. Chris Owings went .261 at the plate this week with three home runs and five RBIs. On the mound, Zack Greinke was the only Arizona starter this week to get a win. He gave up two runs over seven innings in a victory over the Rockies.
9. Colorado Rockies
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Rockies are 7.5 games back of the Dodgers after losing two of three in Arizona, but they’ve won two of the first three at home against Cincinnati. Overall, they’ve been a fading commodity with just three wins in their last 10 games.
Colorado will host the Chicago White Sox going into the All-Star break. Raimel Tapia hit .348 this week with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. The Rockies had a 4.33 ERA as a staff, but Greg Holland saved all three of his opportunities and now leads the majors with 28 saves overall.
10. Kansas City Royals
Last Week: —
World Series Championship Odds: +5000
The Royals are behind Cleveland by a half game in the AL Central after winning three of four at home against Minnesota, and then they swept Seattle on the road. The Dodgers will come to Kansas City to finish the first half. Mike Moustakas hit .310 this week and powered out five homers with seven RBIs. Mike Minor was strong in relief, going 2-0 in three appearances, and he allowed a run and four hits in four innings of work.
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